Guidelines

While the philosophy of the Rodear is to have a minimum of guidelines governing the course, the following are highly recommended suggested guidelines for a successful Rodear.

The objective is to complete the course while achieving the most points in the least amount of time.
In the event of a point tie, tie-breaker will be the fastest time.
Handlers will sort their own cattle from a small herd of no less than 15 head of cattle or, in the case of a cross country course with enough area to accommodate a 150-foot outrun, cattle can be turned out for a dog to be sent on a 150 foot or longer outrun. The outrun can be assisted or unassisted by the handler and horse at the Event Host’s discretion. If the outrun option is used, at least one of the course obstacles should have a sort.
As with the course, the objective is to perform the sort in a quiet and controlled manner.
No restrictions on use of the horse/rider to assist dog in maneuvering cattle through the obstacle course except in the case of the use of an outrun as described above.
All obstacles should require BOTH the dog and horse/rider to negotiate and complete, with the exception of an unassisted outrun as described above.
Quiet and controlled maneuvering of cattle should be required. Contestants should be disqualified for excessive chasing or abusing of livestock and/or chasing cattle outside of the boundaries of the course.

Class Structure

Open

This class is open to any dog and any handler. If you are a trainer who trains dogs for any type of remuneration, this is the class you must compete in. Other handlers may be assigned to this class based on their skill level. Competitors designated as open handlers are not eligible to compete in the Intermediate or Novice classes.

Intermediate

This class is designed for those handlers who don’t necessarily compete on a regular basis and would have difficulty being competitive with those in the open class. The top two in the national point standings, if a National Standings exists in the given year, will be advanced to the Open class for future competition.

Nursery

This class is open to any handler with a dog born on or after April 1st two years prior to the year of the finals in which they will compete in this class, that is no more than two and a half years old as of October 1st of the current competition year. Proof of dog’s age should be provided prior to competing in this class. For a registered dog, a copy of the dog’s registration papers is sufficient. In the case of a grade, or unregistered dog, this requirement may be satisfied by a letter from the breeder stating date of birth, or veterinarian records of vaccinations that indicate age.

Ranch Class

The Ranch Class is a class that is open to any handler. Any dog, regardless of age is eligible to compete in the Ranch class. In addition, this class is designed to provide open handlers an opportunity to compete with dogs that are not ready to compete in the Open division. It is also a class wherein inexperienced handlers can compete with dogs that may have previously been competing in open competitions. Open level handlers will not be able to compete with dogs that have competed in any open stockdog competitions. A handler in the ranch class may be an Intermediate or Novice handler and compete with any level of dog, or an open handler with a dog that has not previously been in any open competition. The top two in the national point standings, if a National Standings exists in the given year, will be advanced out of the Ranch class for future competition.

Novice

This class is provided for beginning handlers inexperienced in Rodear competition. The leader in the national point standings, if a National Standings exists in the given year, will be advanced to the Intermediate class for future competition.

Youth Class

Contestants must be twelve years of age or under at the beginning of the current season to be eligible to compete.

Guidelines for Rodear Competition

Contestants are welcome to compete in classes above their designation if they desire to do so (e.g., an Intermediate entering the Open class or a Novice entering the Intermediate or Open).
Nursery - All dogs must provide proof of age to compete in this class. For a registered dog, a copy of the dog’s registration papers is sufficient. In the case of a grade, or unregistered dog, this requirement may be satisfied by a letter from the breeder stating date of birth, or veterinarian records of vaccinations that indicate age.

Guidelines for Determining Classification

Open

Any contestant who trains dogs for any type of remuneration will be limited to competing in this class. Additionally, other competitors in this class must be able to effectively communicate with their dog and possess sufficient horsemanship skills to be able to utilize both their horse and dog to address individual obstacles, as well as negotiate a complete course in a competitive manner. A dog should be biddable and obedient taking commands, and exhibit the ability to effectively control stock in a low stress manner.

Intermediate

Competitors in this class will be those who do not fall within the designation of either the Open or Novice classes.

Novice

This class was developed to encourage new, or inexperienced handlers and dogs in rodear competition. Competitors in this class will be those just beginning in rodear events. They may be novice type handlers with limited experience in walking trials and new to working a dog from horseback, or they may be experienced horsemen who are new to working cowdogs.

Zero Tolerance Policy

The following should be adhered to at all Rodear America hosted events. Hosts of sanctioned events are encouraged to follow and maintain a like policy.

The primary objective of Rodear competition is for competitors to have fun while being challenged to exhibit the superior stockmanship skills of themselves, their dogs and horses. To that end, Rodear America highly recommends a ZERO TOLERANCE policy at all of its sanctioned events to include the following:

No abusive treatment of any kind, to any person or animal, at any time allowed anywhere on the event premises.
Handlers must always demonstrate sportsmanlike conduct.
Cattle may not be contacted in any manner by the handler or their horse.
No rough handling of dogs is permitted.
No training devices, or dummy training devices, be permitted to be used on, or worn by dogs at any time.
Inhumane treatment or excessive training of a horse is prohibited.

If the event management or judge discovers a violation, they may immediately bar the responsible party and their dog from further competition and forfeiture of all entry fees at the event.

Dress Code

Recognizing the ranching roots of the sport of Rodear, it is only fitting that we do our part to preserve and promote our western heritage. To assist in achieving that goal, the following dress code is recommended to be enforced at all Rodear America hosted events.

Appropriate western attire and tack include: western hat, long sleeved western shirt with collar and cuffs, boots, western saddle, and bridle.